Irish Open 2015 at Royal County Down

newport2

Old diesel wrote: »

actually isn't it 5 when you include the Pro am?????

My understanding is that they play the Pro Am on Wednesday - the competition then starting on Thursday.

Or is the Pro Am optional????

I know Padraig normally seems to do it based on his own comments re his preview and reviews of his events.

But I accept it MAY be optional

No, you're right, it's 5 days, pro-am is not optional. Need a good excuse to get out of it.

My post was tongue in cheek. Professional athletes should be well able to handle 5 rounds a week, but i accept the mentally draining aspect is something i may not be factoring in. Still an easier week than most guys on here have though

DuckSlice

Does anyone have any ideas of the groups and times for the Friday? I tried the website but didnt see anything, maybe it's too early?

Seve OB

etxp wrote: »

Does anyone have any ideas of the groups and times for the Friday? I tried the website but didnt see anything, maybe it's too early?

Won't be out till Tuesday next week I believe

pistol_75

Now sold out Fri, Sat, Sun. Great sign.

blackwhite

pistol_75 wrote: »

Now sold out Fri, Sat, Sun. Great sign.

Was planning to go up the Friday, but wasn't sure how work would be.

When I saw there was still tickets earlier this week I didn't think the Friday would sell out.

So......... anyone know of anyone looking to sell two Friday tickets?? :P

bustercherry

Can you let people borrow the season pass? I don't see a name attached to the ticket.

PARlance

bustercherry wrote: »

Can you let people borrow the season pass? I don't see a name attached to the ticket.

Had no issues doing that in Carton.

Dublin Spur

I have 2 tickets for the Sunday.
Unfortunately I can't make it now.
I will sell at face value (€100 / £80) for the pair
PM me if you're interested.

ronnie3585

Will they accept Euros in the course or should I get some Sterling?

jjll

Looks like Rory is out ear!y Thursday and late Friday if you go by sky coverage Thursday 8am til 1 and friday no morning coverage sky on at 12 til 6

HighLine

jjll wrote: »

Looks like Rory is out ear!y Thursday and late Friday if you go by sky coverage Thursday 8am til 1 and friday no morning coverage sky on at 12 til 6

That's the way it has been for the last few years for Rory. There will be another big feature group who will be out late Thursday, early Friday though.

dungiven

From looking at the map on irish open website there seems to be a number of free Grandstands throughout the course? Anyone with knowledge of the course that could recommend which one would be best? Obviously the 18th on the last day but is there any that you can maybe see a couple of holes from rather than just looking at the same shot all day..

What do you guys reckon is the best strategy when attending one of these events? Going to be a serious crowd following the big hitters so are you better to go on out to one of the later holes and get a good spot at the green etc...

jjll

HighLine wrote: »

That's the way it has been for the last few years for Rory. There will be another big feature group who will be out late Thursday, early Friday though.

I'm guessing Rory, Rickie, and an other

OffalyMedic

dungiven wrote:

From looking at the map on irish open website there seems to be a number of free Grandstands throughout the course? Anyone with knowledge of the course that could recommend which one would be best? Obviously the 18th on the last day but is there any that you can maybe see a couple of holes from rather than just looking at the same shot all day..

dungiven wrote:

What do you guys reckon is the best strategy when attending one of these events? Going to be a serious crowd following the big hitters so are you better to go on out to one of the later holes and get a good spot at the green etc...

I'd love to know the same advice if anyone has been to one of these events before, what's the best strategy??

HighLine

Irish Open week has begun! Rory already out for an early practice round.

https://twitter.com/JamesHaddockSky/status/602816859105296384

Seve OB

dungiven wrote: »

From looking at the map on irish open website there seems to be a number of free Grandstands throughout the course? Anyone with knowledge of the course that could recommend which one would be best? Obviously the 18th on the last day but is there any that you can maybe see a couple of holes from rather than just looking at the same shot all day..

What do you guys reckon is the best strategy when attending one of these events? Going to be a serious crowd following the big hitters so are you better to go on out to one of the later holes and get a good spot at the green etc...

shaunac93 wrote: »

I'd love to know the same advice if anyone has been to one of these events before, what's the best strategy??

Clubhouse ... Corporate Hospitality

HighLine wrote: »

Irish Open week has begun! Rory already out for an early practice round.

https://twitter.com/JamesHaddockSky/status/602816859105296384

He has actually been out for 2... was out yesterday morning also with his Dad

vienne86

GMac could do with a good week - really sliding in the rankings now.

PARlance

shaunac93 wrote: »

I'd love to know the same advice if anyone has been to one of these events before, what's the best strategy??

I prefer to pick a spot somewhere around the 6th/7th, stay there for a couple of hours until a group I want to follow comes along and then follow them for 7 or 8 holes plonking myself on the 14th/15th to watch a few more groups going through.

Worst thing you can do is try to see too much imo.
It's strange enough being there for the first time, you're nowhere as clued in to whats going on as you would be watching it on tv so there's an urge to run around trying to take everything in.

ronnie3585

HighLine wrote: »

Irish Open week has begun! Rory already out for an early practice round.

https://twitter.com/JamesHaddockSky/status/602816859105296384

What kind of green fees do you think they charged Rory today, rack rate as he's hardly a GUI member these days?

The Premier Man

Heading up Friday,1st time attending,just wondering if anyone has any tips?mainly about grub,footwear,clothing etc.?

ronnie3585

The Premier Man wrote: »

Heading up Friday,1st time attending,just wondering if anyone has any tips?mainly about grub,footwear,clothing etc.?

I'm going Friday too. I'm going to bring my rucksack and keep my wet gear in it, as the forecast isn't fantastic, some water, snacks and sun cream. Unless it's bone dry with no chance of rain, which is highly unlikely, I'll be wearing my golf shoes.

I'll keep a full change of clothes and sole food in the car.

Finlay Harp

3 new food outlets have opened in Newcastle this week. Plenty of places to eat and drink and most are opening from 6 in the morning until late for Open week. Town is looking good.

slave1

ronnie3585 wrote: »

What kind of green fees do you think they charged Rory today, rack rate as he's hardly a GUI member these days?

PGA tour members don't pay green fees in Ireland AFAIK

HighLine

https://twitter.com/KenBrownGolf/status/603089307784650752

Leslie91

God I hope the weather forecasters are wrong. A weekend of sh1t weather will do nothing for the golf course nevermind us poor spectators (going Sunday).

dungiven

The Met Office website gives a good forecast for Sat with no rain expected at all but really how accurate are these 5 day forecasts? It's Ireland so we may prepare for all four seasons in the one day as usual.

Speak Now

Tee times are out

Padraig off the 1st at 12.50 PM on Thursday with his old foe Garcia and defending champion Ilonen.

Shane is off the 1st at 1 P.M with Ernie and Frankie Molinari.

McIlroy off the 10th at 8 a.m with Kaymer and Rickie.

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015040/teetimes/index.html

AdpRo

If anyone has a ticket for Sunday for sale at face value, I would really appreciate a PM!

Mods please delete if not allowed in thread.

Mantis Toboggan

Are the tee times and playing partners fixed beforehand or are they just random?

charlieIRL

AdpRo wrote: »

If anyone has a ticket for Sunday for sale at face value, I would really appreciate a PM!

Mods please delete if not allowed in thread.

Stick an add on adverts and like it back to the for sale / wanted thread.

Speak Now

Buddy Holly wrote: »

Are the tee times and playing partners fixed beforehand or are they just random?

They would be fixed the first 2 days for television.

Wichita Lineman

Hopefully the big names will last to Sunday so I get to see them!

Free Hat

shaunac93 wrote: »

I'd love to know the same advice if anyone has been to one of these events before, what's the best strategy??

I went to the British Open at Hoylake last year for two days. The first day we kind of followed some groups rather aimlessly so we decided to take a different approach on Sunday. Must say it worked a treat.

We got our way into the stand at the first tee early and watched a lot of the best players tee off. We decided to follow a group for 18 holes then, a less popular group so as not to be lost in a big crowd. Followed Lowry all the way round and watchhed him shoot the joint low round of the day. Then finished up on 18 and waited as the leading groups came in. Watched McIlroy finish up and parade the trophy.

We got lucky in some ways but I recommed actually following a group, you get into their round and get a feel for how the course plays.

stockdam

I tend to try to get there early and then follow a group. Generally the crowds will be small and you'll see a lot. Later the crowds will build and they will generally follow the big names.

Later in the day I try to sit at a par three where I can see the tee shots, the putts and then the tee shots for the following hole.

The 16th is a nice hole to watch as the long hitters can drive it.

vienne86

Jerry Seinfeld wrote: »

Tee times are out

Padraig off the 1st at 12.50 PM on Thursday with his old foe Garcia and defending champion Ilonen.

Shane is off the 1st at 1 P.M with Ernie and Frankie Molinari.

McIlroy off the 10th at 8 a.m with Kaymer and Rickie.

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015040/teetimes/index.html

I would expect us to see a good bit of these groups on TV so - excellent. Can't wait!

mikepajero182

All the talk on the tickets about not talking photos, are they usually strict on that or will we be able to get a few sneaky ones?

FixdePitchmark

mikepajero182 wrote: »

All the talk on the tickets about not talking photos, are they usually strict on that or will we be able to get a few sneaky ones?

It just puts the players off. Because someone will not think a camera makes no noise, but it does or some do.

Anyway - photos are overrated , just watch the golf.

kiers47

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

It just puts the players off. Because someone will not think a camera makes no noise, but it does or some do.

Anyway - photos are overrated , just watch the golf.

Everything is better in real life rather than looking through a lense!!!

FixdePitchmark

kiers47 wrote: »

Everything is better in real life rather than looking through a lense!!!

Agree - just enjoy it. Anyway - lads holding cameras up for photos they don't need or want blocking your view.

Mantis Toboggan

Looks like the weather is going to be awful. Typical

Seve OB

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

It just puts the players off. Because someone will not think a camera makes no noise, but it does or some do.

Anyway - photos are overrated , just watch the golf.

are you going?

FixdePitchmark

Seve OB wrote: »

are you going?

Wanted to go. But work got me this time.

Also was not mad to go - unless I could get accomodation close - and missed that boat.

Have been up there twice in last 3 years - so I think , I'd be also more into going up to play again.

We should organise a trip up at winter rate next year.

DamienOB

Misses booked Friday night and Saturday night in Jurys Inn Belfast. Coach down/back and ticket for the Saturday. Looking forward to it I must say. Hopefully Rory makes the cut for the 1st time in 2 years....

I'm not sure what to make of the travel arrangements though. I dont think she realised how far the course is from Belfast. Pretty little suprise for her.

FixdePitchmark

Buddy Holly wrote: »

Looks like the weather is going to be awful. Typical

As Irish Opens go.
The Wind is ok

The rain is mixed - and not that heavy most days.

There are good clear periods.

There could be a big bit of luck - if the bad band falls Saturday night to lunch time Sunday.

Fingers crossed.


What - others think , I've been at and seen way worse ?

http://www.met.ie/forecasts/5day-ireland.asp

Seve OB

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

What - others think , I've been at and seen way worse ?

http://www.met.ie/forecasts/5day-ireland.asp

Do you remember the Ryder Cup! now that was pretty crap weather. i think it was pretty crappy in Baltray when Shane won there too.

i'm with you, from what i've seen, it doesn't look that bad

sent you a pm by the way, and yes, we should definitely organise something up there

FixdePitchmark

DamienOB wrote: »

Misses booked Friday night and Saturday night in Jurys Inn Belfast. Coach down/back and ticket for the Saturday. Looking forward to it I must say. Hopefully Rory makes the cut for the 1st time in 2 years....

I'm not sure what to make of the travel arrangements though. I dont think she realised how far the course is from Belfast. Pretty little suprise for her.

Belfast a great city - you will have a great time.

Yes it is an hour from there - but the key for you , is how well that flows when you get off bus to whatever car park they send you.

I'm interseted in how the logistics of the location pan out.

We want to hold big events at links in Ireland - but we want to get good at it.

It is interesting they have kept it low at 20,000 per day - is that right ?

AGC

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

It is interesting they have kept it low at 20,000 per day - is that right ?

Been a good few years since I played it but space would be quite tight on a lot of holes for spectators from memory

Speak Now

Looks like good links weather to me!

DamienOB

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Belfast a great city - you will have a great time.

Yes it is an hour from there - but the key for you , is how well that flows when you get off bus to whatever car park they send you.

Thanks for the reply. Yea I was just on the website. 2 Car parks. 1 park and walk 15 min. 1 Park and ride. Hopefully there's a coach drop off point somewhere near there.

We're getting picked up at 7am so we should be there before most of the heavy stuff arrives anyway. Collected 45 mins after the final group play the last 18.

Anyone any tips for things to do in Belfast that won't take hours? Saturday be a pretty tiring day

Keano

So Rory's pro-am partners were late to the tee box after paying a lot of cash for the honour!